Kerry Kates, PE, LEED AP, is a Deputy Director with Orange County Utilities (OCU) and has oversight over alternative water supply, intergovernmental affairs, and the County’s solid waste management and recycling program.
Before joining OCU, he was the Director of Water & Natural Resources for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA), where he engaged in water and environmental policy development and acted as the liaison between FFVA’s agricultural members and the state’s water management districts, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Office of Agricultural Water Policy, EPA’s Office of Water, and USDA’s Climate Change Program Office. Prior to this, he worked as a project manager for Kimley-Horn & Associates in their land development division, designing and permitting site plans, onsite utilities, and stormwater management systems.
Kates holds degrees in both geology and civil engineering from the University of Florida, is a registered engineer within the state, and is a LEED accredited professional.